SADC Executive Secretary H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax has called on the international community to make a breakthrough in the areas of humanitarian aid and humanitarian diplomacy, by dedicating efforts and resources towards helping humanity facing natural disasters.
Addressing the World Humanitarian Summit Regional Consultation for Southern and Eastern Africa in Pretoria today, Dr. tax said “Notwithstanding the existing SADC Disaster Risk Reduction Structure, we need to be cognizant of the changing landscape and emerging realities, and thus forge a regional approach which takes into account the diverse nature of humanitarian challenges that is linked to a global approach and responding to unique humanitarian challenges faced by individual countries and communities. Let us not wait until 2016 Istanbul Summit to make the change that need to be made now”.
She also called for action to combat the deadly Ebola virus. “Sadly though, we are meeting here today amid a ravaging scourge of Ebola which threatens not only the human lives, but has taken a toll on affected countries’ economies and put a huge strain on the already weak health systems. Perhaps the most lethal dimension of this scourge is its potential to undo the achievements made so far in Africa. So divisive is Ebola that most countries have adopted protectionist policies that undermine Africa’s collective power and the whole aspiration of free movement of people, goods and services. Indeed this needs to be re-looked at with a view of addressing and combating Ebola in unity of purpose and collective efforts”, said Dr. Tax.
Insert photo shows Dr. Tax addressing the World Humanitarian Summit Regional Consultation for Southern and Eastern Africa
